2004 Current Activity Report -- Southeast Michigan Resource Conservation and Development Council

2004 Current Activity Report

Meetings

Following are activity highlights during 2004:

Soft Engineering/Conservation Buffers 319 Grant

A workshop and installation of soft engineering measures was completed at Delia Park in Sterling Heights. Key partners included: City of Sterling Heights, Macomb County Department of Public Works, Macomb County Commissioners, Clinton River Watershed Council, Tilton & Associates and Macomb County Conservation District.
The Council was presented with the "Johanna Roskopp" award from the Clinton River Watershed Council for efforts on the Delia Park project.
A "National County Partnership" award for this same project, was also received by the Macomb County Planning Department.
Field evaluations were conducted on completed soft engineering projects in Lenawee, Macomb, St. Clair and Wayne Counties.
An evaluation was conducted at a site on the Huron River in the Nichols Arboretum, Washtenaw County, for a final soft engineering demonstration project to be completed in 2005.

Ash Utilization Options Project, U.S. Forest Service Grant

The Council hired a Natural Resource Specialist (Jessica Simons) to implement the Council's Ash Utilization Options grant from the U.S. Forest Service.
Four demonstration grant proposals were selected for funding to demonstrate innovative uses of wood from Ash trees being removed in the Emerald Ash Borer quarantined area of Southeast Michigan. Three proposals were implemented, including proposals submitted by: Last Chance Logs to Lumber, LaMont Brothers Tree Service, and Michigan State University-Department of Forestry.
Requests for Proposals were solicited for a contractor to conduct an inventory of urban wood resources and market opportunities. Selection to be made in January, 2005.
Two training sessions were conducted as part of the Ash Utilization Options grant-"Log Grading and Sawing for Grade", and "The Game of Logging" (a timber harvesting and chainsaw safety program).
Simons discussed ash utilization projects with media, including: The Ann Arbor News; WEMU radio "Issues in the Environment" show; and The Detroit Free Press.
A tour of Ash Utilization demonstration projects was conducted for federal/state legislators and the media.
Numerous organization meetings and public outreach events were attended by Simons to promote and inform people of the Council's efforts, including: Michigan Forest & Parks Association annual meeting; Regional EAB Symposium; Monroe County Wood Fair; Native American Heritage Festival; Tree Care Industry Expo; and tour for Michigan Association of Conservation Districts annual meeting.

Other Activities

Council representatives attended two Michigan Association of RC&D Councils statewide meetings, and the North Central Association of RC&D Councils meeting in Angola, Indiana.
A very successful U.S. Congressional Breakfast was conducted to update attendees on the Council's Soft Engineering/Conservation Buffer and Ash Utilization Options grant project accomplishments.
Ann Arbor's Mayor, John Heiftje, attended a quarterly Council meeting and provided an update on the City's Greenbelt project.

Blackeyed Susans, courtesy of Louise K. Broman; Box Turtle, courtesy of the National Park Service; Detroit Skyline, courtesy of Dave Brenner; Farm and Willow Bank Planting, courtesy of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Photo Credits